Shirley Jean Fullerton

Shirley Jean Fullerton, 94, of Rockford, Iowa, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, August 28, 2026. A visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, August 31, 2026, at the First United Methodist Church, 21 3rd St NW in Rockford, IA. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at the church, with a one-hour visitation prior to the service, with Pastor Chang Gok Kim officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Rockford. Arrangements are with Fullerton Funeral Home. Shirley Jean (Trettin) Fullerton was born on April 27, 1932, in Rockford, Iowa, to Albert and Kathrina Trettin. She was the youngest of ten children. She graduated with the class of 1950 from Rockford Senior High before attending Iowa State College in Ames and then Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls to obtain her two-year teaching certificate and later received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa. She taught junior high at Rockford for two years and then taught music and social studies for two years at Charles City. Shirley was united in marriage to Lloyd (Lou) Fullerton on July 2, 1955, at the Methodist Church in Rockford, with Rev. George Baker officiating. Lou and Shirley established their home on a farm southwest of Rockford. To their union, they raised their four children together. Shirley stayed at home with them until they all reached school age before she returned to teach Grade 2 at Marble Rock and later at Rockford. She taught second graders for 31 years before retiring. Shirley enjoyed reading and demonstrated that love of literacy to scores of students. She served for many years on the Rockford Public Library Board. Lou and Shirley were married for over 42 years before Lou died in 1998. Shirley moved off the farm to a house in Rockford following his death. Family was vital and central in Shirley’s life. Shirley loved spending quality time with all of her favorite grandchildren and delighted in welcoming each new great-grandbaby into her growing family. She lived her Christian values by demonstrating her faith. Shirley embraced Jesus’ valuable lessons of love and humbly served her church on the Worship Committee. She lived her life through daily prayer and was a faithful child of God. Those left to cherish her memory include her four children and their spouses: Jane (Duane) Schultz of Iowa Falls; Mary (David) Steuben of Jesup; Kathy (Mark) Biggs of Rockford, and David (Janet) Fullerton of Rockford; 13 grandchildren: Eric (Jeana) Schultz, Megan (Greg) Rothlisberger, Jack (Sheri) Steuben, Mikki (Chris) Roberts, Hannah (Scott) Johnson, Peter (Autumn) Steuben, Trevor (Kelsey) Biggs, Kacie (Justin) Abell, Jessie (Justin) Chambers, Laura (Dustin) Howe, Jennifer (Jake) Hemann, Marc Fullerton, and Amy (Andrew) Hicok; 32 great-grandchildren: Leighton and Lucy Schultz, Colin and Brooke Steuben, Colbi, Landon, and Beckett Roberts, Margot, Miles, and Grant Johnson, Caleb, Will, and Riley Steuben, Henry and Scarlett Biggs, Austin, Jordan, Kayden, Addilyn, and Huxton Abell, Leo, Lucas, and Roy Chambers, Heidi, Dylan, Cole, and Abby Howe, Jace, Tyler, Matthew, and Adam Hemann, and Lucy Hicok; and many nieces, nephews, dear friends, and extended family. Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 42 years, Lloyd (Lou) Fullerton in 1998; her parents Albert and Kathrina Trettin, siblings: Ella (Carl) Schutt, Wesley (Dallas) Trettin, Mabel Trettin, Edwin (Margaret) Trettin, Harold (Frances) Trettin, George (Arlene) Trettin, Walter Trettin, Orland Graper, and Marie (Bill) Weigand; and brother and sister-in-law Roger and Maxine Fullerton. Shirley’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Care Initiatives Hospice of Waterloo for the exceptional care, compassion, and support they provided to Shirley and her family. In expression of sympathy, memorials may be directed to the family.

Shirley Jean Fullerton

April 27, 1932 - August 28, 2026

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